Panel sliding hardware system and method

Abstract

A display case panel mounting system includes a mounting bracket, sliding panel mount, and a slider. The sliding panel mount may include a first slide profile and a second slide profile. The mounting bracket may be capable of connecting to a display case and the slider may connect to the mounting bracket and the first slide profile to facilitate rotational movement of the sliding panel mount. The second slide profile may engage the first slide profile to facilitate linear movement of the second slide profile with respect to the first slide profile. A panel clamp may connect to the second slide profile to receive a panel for the display case to facilitate rotational movement and linear movement of the panel and various orientations of the panel.

1 . A panel sliding hardware system for use with a display case, comprising:
 a mounting bracket capable of connecting to a display case;   a first slide profile having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the first slide profile is connected to the mounting bracket;   a second slide profile engaging the first slide profile;   a slider having a first end engaged with the mounting bracket and a second end forming a connection axis with the second end portion of the first slide profile; and   wherein the first slide profile is capable of being rotationally adjusted with respect to the mounting bracket and the second slide profile is capable of being rotationally and linearly adjusted with respect to the mounting bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the slider has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion of the slider is capable of moving about a connection axis between the first portion and the second portion;   the first portion is in a sliding engagement with the mounting bracket; and   the second portion is connected to the first slide profile and is capable of moving about the connection axis between slider the first slide profile.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the slider is a slider link. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spring having a first end connected to the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the slider.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second end of the spring is linearly adjustable with respect to the first end of the spring. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first slide profile has a first connecting feature and a second connecting feature;   the second slide profile has a first connecting feature and a second connecting feature;   the first connecting feature of the second slide profile engages the second connecting feature of the first slide profile; and   the second connecting feature of the second slide profile engages the first connecting feature of the first slide profile.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first slide profile and the second slide profile have a substantially identical cross-section along their respective lengths. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a bearing connected to one or more of the connecting features of the first slide profile; and   a bearing connected to one or more of the connecting features of the second slide profile.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first slide profile and the second slide profile are made from one of a single mold and two or more substantially identical molds. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a panel clamp adjustably connected to the second slide profile.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a display panel;   a wedge; and   wherein the wedge is capable of being positioned in two or more positions within the panel clamp to adjust a position of the display panel.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a safety stop having a first end and a second; and   wherein:
 the first end of the safety stop releasably abuts the slider; 
 the second end of the safety stop is engaged to release the first end of the safety stop from the slider when the second slide profile is in a first position; and 
 the second end of the safety stop is disengaged to engage the first end of the safety stop from the slider when the second slide profile is in a second position. 
   
     
     
         13 . A display case panel mounting system, comprising:
 a mounting bracket capable of connecting to a display case;   a first slide profile having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first slide profile adjustably connected to the mounting bracket;   a second slide profile engaging the first slide profile;   a slider having a first end engaged with the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the second end portion of the second slide profile; and   wherein:
 the first slide profile has a first connecting feature and a second connecting feature; 
 the second slide profile has a first connecting feature engaging the second connecting feature of the first slide profile; and 
 the second slide profile has a second connecting feature engaging the first connecting feature of the first slide profile. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first slide profile is capable of being rotationally adjusted with respect to the mounting bracket and the second slide profile is capable of being rotationally adjusted with respect to the mounting bracket and linearly adjusted with respect to the first slide profile. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first slide profile and the second slide profile are made from one of a single mold and two or more substantially similar molds. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a panel clamp connected to the second slide profile;   a wedge adjustably positioned within the panel clamp; and   a panel adjustably positioned in one of two or more positions within the panel clamp.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a spring having a first portion and second portion adjustable with respect to the first portion;   wherein:   the first portion of the spring is connected to the mounting bracket; and   the second portion of the spring is connected to the slider.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first connecting features are male connecting features and the second connecting features are female connecting features that receive the male connecting features in a sliding and adjustable manner. 
     
     
         19 . A method of positioning a panel used with a display case between a closed position and an opened position, the method comprising:
 adjusting a panel about a rotating axis formed at a connection point between a hinge and a sliding panel mount connected to the panel; and   sliding the panel in a linear direction away from the rotating axis.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the sliding panel mount has a first slide profile and a second slide profile;   adjusting the panel about a rotating axis includes adjusting the first slide profile and the second slide profile about the rotating axis; and   sliding the panel in a linear direction includes sliding the second slide profile in a linear direction with respect to the first slide profile.